Chapter Five Emily #2
She ran her finger over her eyelashes, her brown eyes still as big as ever, even without any mascara on. “They’re super close. Like us, but brothers. And you know Jordan is obsessed with Ben, you saw that when we went ice-skating.”
Everything changed when she spoke about Jordan—her tone, her expression, the hearts that appeared in her eyes.
I was so incredibly happy for my best friend. She deserved this, and Jordan was perfect for her.
So I had to say, “And now you know he’s going to be the best dad,” because I knew it would make her smile.
She waved the air. “My brain can’t even go there. Not yet, at least.”
I snorted. “Babe, it’s already gone there. Over and over and over again.”
She rolled her eyes at me, but she knew I was right.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid as cute as Ben,” I added.
“I know! And those big bright-blue eyes of his . . . I die.”
I wanted to ask about Ben’s mom, but was that weird? Was I just sleep deprived and too far into my own head, or was that a completely normal question to ask my bestie?
I drew in a deep breath. “I meant to ask you this after we went skating and I forgot . . . is Ben’s mom in the picture? Ben never mentioned her—I just wasn’t sure what the situation is.”
She tilted her head, a few seconds of silence passing.
“You know, that’s a good question. Honestly, I don’t know.
I haven’t asked. But it seems like Ben is with Gavin whenever Jordan is talking to him on the phone, at least when Gavin is home and not at work.
So whatever the situation is, Gavin has him most, if not all, of the time. ”
That was a question I’d wanted to inquire about last night, I just didn’t want to push Gavin for information, considering it was really none of my business. He’d made it clear that he was single, and that was all that mattered.
“Whatever the case is, Ben’s incredible, and that means he’s had the best parenting.”
“Agreed.” She checked her watch. “I have to go check on Bettie.” She held out her hand. “Come with me.”
Gavin’s grandmother. Just another reminder of him.
“I would love to.” I got up from the desk and looped arms with her, and we entered the room at the end of the hall. “Bettie, my darling, your favorite girls are here,” I announced from the doorway.
“Now that’s one way to make my morning.” She set down her book of crossword puzzles. “How are my gals doing?”
Maya and I had completely fallen for this eighty-four-year-old woman. I wasn’t bullshitting Gavin when I told him we wanted to take her out. That was how much we enjoyed spending time with her.
“We came in to ask you that question.” Maya stood near the head of Bettie’s bed, smiling at her. “How’s the knee feeling?”
“As good as it can be.” She took a drink from her plastic water cup. Even her upper half was moving gingerly.
“Still a little stiff?” Maya asked.
“I’m afraid so.” Bettie set down her water. “I’m really feeling yesterday’s PT.”
Knee replacements were tough, especially for someone of Bettie’s age. Not only were they dealing with the pain from surgery, but also the aftereffects of the anesthesia could last for weeks, and that wasn’t kind on someone’s system.
“You’re doing amazing—I hope you know that.” I tightened the bottom of the bedding, knowing she preferred a perfectly made bed. “And despite how you’re feeling, you’re looking mighty fine in that hot burgundy lip color.” Lipstick, she never went without, no matter what time it was.
“Gals, I’ve always lived by two rules.” She patted her silver curls like she was checking to make sure they were in place, and they were.
“You smile regardless of how you’re feeling.
It hides just how good the good is and just how bad the bad is.
And while you’re smiling, wear lipstick.
But the lipstick is for you, because whether your smile is lying or telling the truth, your lips should look fabulous. ”
I held on to the foot of her bed, grinning. “I love that.”
“My new motto,” Maya said.
Bettie waved the air, but I could tell she was flattered by our responses. “How’d my blood work look this morning? A sweet gal came in and took it at around four. I swear, they just don’t want you to sleep in this facility. It’s as bad as a hospital.”
“When I started my shift a little bit ago, the results weren’t in yet,” Maya explained.
“I think the results just posted,” I told Maya, which was what I’d been looking at when she came to speak to me at the nurses’ station. “Do you want me to go get the results?”
“I’ll do it.” Maya pointed at the two of us. “You guys don’t have too much fun or get into any trouble while I’m gone.”
As Maya left the room, I grabbed an extra pillow and carefully lifted Bettie’s leg to slip it beneath her knee.
“The higher elevation will improve the blood flow, and that’ll help with the pain and stiffness and mobility.
” I gave her a soft smile. “You’re doing great.
Just a little bit longer and you’re going to feel up to your old self. ”
I sensed her eyes on me while I moved up the bed, giving the pillow under her head a little extra fluff.
“My girl”—she put her hand on my arm—“is everything all right?”
I finally looked at her.
I’d been avoiding her gaze since Maya walked out. A part of me felt guilty that her grandson and I had done all those naughty things last night.
But why?
We hadn’t done anything wrong. We were single. Careful. We had mostly taken all precautions to prevent Ben from seeing or hearing us.
I shouldn’t feel anything.
But I did.
“I’m just tired,” I admitted.
Her thumb stroked my skin. “You’re not wearing any lipstick.”
Her way of saying she was seeing right through my grin.
So I felt the need to reveal: “I work two jobs. Sometimes the hours get to be a lot—not the work, I love the work. Just the amount of time I put in. I think it’s caught up to me this week. But I have tonight off, and I’ll be able to catch up on my sleep.”
Her fingers lowered to my hand, holding me in a similar way that Ben had when we’d been skating. “What’s your other job?”
“I’m an on-call nurse for Dr. Kaplan. You probably haven’t heard of him, he’s a pediatrician.”
She was still wearing her bright-red framed reading glasses even though she was no longer doing a crossword puzzle, and she slid them halfway down her nose, looking at me over the lenses. “Dr. Kaplan, of course I’ve heard of him. He’s a dear friend of the family, and he’s Ben’s doctor.”
I didn’t confirm—I couldn’t, by law. I just smiled at her. And what that earned me was a gaze so intense, I felt it move right through me.
Was I surprised to hear she knew he was Ben’s doctor? Or was I silly to think Bettie wouldn’t know that he was Ben’s doctor?
I really needed more sleep.
“You must work evenings for him, given that you’re here during the day.”
“I do.”
“Were you working last night?” When I nodded, she continued, “It must have been a daunting case. I hope that little girl or boy is okay.” She put her hand on her chest.
I gave her fingers a shake. “Everything worked out the way it was supposed to.”
That wasn’t a lie.
“Glad to hear it.”
I waited a few seconds before I asked, “Do you need anything? Anything at all? Takeout”—I batted my lashes at her—“an extra blanket, lotion, mouthwash? Just say the word and I’ll make it happen.”
She smiled. “Everything is perfect at the moment.”
“I’ll check on you in a little while.”
She released me, and as I was walking out of her room, she said, “My gal, I know how those long hours can weigh on you. I can’t tell you how many days I ate all three meals at my desk and slept on the couch in my office only to wake up and do it all over again.
” She pushed her glasses to the highest peak of her nose.
“The hard work will pay off. Whatever it is that you want, you’re going to get it. Mark my words.”